Local Affordable Cycle Schemes
Cycling in Westminster Information
Clean Air Routes
Cycling toolkit - things to get you started
Advice on buying and maintaining your bicycle and safe cycling in London.
Shop local
Online deals may look appealing, but your local bike shop will be able to offer tailored advice on bike size and fitting.
When your bike eventually needs servicing, the local shop will be your first point of call, so it's worth getting to know them from the start.
Right tool for the job
There are many types of bikes to accommodate the wide variety of uses they can be put to.
Be clear about what you want to do with your bike and the local bike shop will be able to help you choose.
Most bikes are versatile enough to be used in a variety of situations, but a little thought about what you want to do, will help narrow down the choice.
Budget
'You get what you pay for' is very true when it comes to bicycles.
A reliable new bike that will last and be comfortable to use can be bought for about £200. You can spend more money to get lighter, better engineered or more specialist components.
Second-hand bikes are available from bike shops and online. A bike shop will know where the bike has come from and hopefully have serviced it as well.
If buying online, be aware that you are buying the bike 'as seen' and always check the frame number at Bike Register and Immobilise to make sure the seller actually owns the bike.
Register your Bike to Protect from Theft
Accessories
There are a great many products out there aimed at cyclists, not all of which are essential. Here is a brief list of the most useful ones:
- lights - it is a legal requirement at night to use white lights in front and red lights at the rear
- trouser clips to keep your trousers clean and prevent them from getting caught in the chain or pedals, which can cause a fall
- mud guards to keep your clothes clean
- chain guard to cover the chain so you don’t need trouser clips (a standard part on traditional city bikes but available as an add-on too)
- rack and panniers to carry your things on the back of the bike instead of on your shoulders - it’s much more comfortable and you can carry more
Clothing
No special clothing is required to ride a bike. Comfortable clothes that you can move around are fine.
Anything you wear that could get caught in the chain or wheels of a bike needs to be tucked in or tied away.
You should invest in a set of inexpensive waterproof/breathable over trousers and top. There are also rain capes that are popular with many people. In reality, you very rarely need rain gear as it tends to rain for only a few minutes and you can just stop for a coffee and cake until it passes.
Helmet
If you choose to wear a helmet it is essential that it fits correctly and that the straps and buckles are adjusted.
This means it must cover your forehead and not move about. The chin strap should snugly accommodate two fingers between the buckle and your chin.
A badly fitted helmet will offer almost no benefit and may introduce its own risks. Helmets should conform to British Standards BS EN 1078:1997
Routes and guides
You can cover a lot of ground on a bike. There is a wealth of mapping tools available online. Here are some handy ones:
TFL Routes lets you specify easy, moderate or fast routes as well as the information you need to integrate public transport into your journey.
Route information provided by cyclists, for cyclists (also shows all the local bike shops).
Cycle Parking - Find bike stands in your area.
Order or download 14 printed route guides, recommended by experienced cyclists and will help you navigate the streets of London.
Westminster Wheels
Westminster Wheels serves the local community. Lisson Grove and the wider area had suffered a bike shop desert prior to our launch. No one to advice, fix, or encourage cycling. In 2020 they opened their doors, developing the shop in direct response to the needs expressed by their customers.
Affordable refurbished bikes? You got it. A range of accessories? Here they are. You want higher-quality locks? OK. Advice on gaining cycle skills? Their pleasure. A full menu of bike services? OK, they’ll do it. Recycle old inner tubes? Yes. The charity evolved to deliver what the street requested.
Maintaining your bike can be prohibitively expensive, they consistently charge less than other stores and run a program donating bikes and servicing free of charge to local community groups and charities. They advise on DIY repairs and lend out basic tools and a pump is stationed outside the store.
Cycle Connect
A free door-to-door, side-by-side cycle service that allows up to three passengers to enjoy gentle exercise and fresh air while travelling in their neighbourhood. It is currently only operating in west London and is for residents of Kensington and Chelsea.
There is space for three passengers, so bring your friends, family, or carer. You can assist with pedalling if you would like, although it’s not necessary since the bicycle is electrically assisted. Due to size restrictions, the Cycle Connect is for adults only.
Cycle Connect operates on most weekdays, between 9:30am and 4pm, with increased availability in the spring and summer months.
You can book a slot for one hour and 30 minutes, and the service-friendly local pilot will collect you and take you wherever you would like to go in the local area during that time. You might just like to go for a leisure ride, which is absolutely fine, too.
Cycle Connect operates on most weekdays, between 9:30am and 4pm, with increased availability in the spring and summer months. You can book a slot for one hour and 30 minutes by phone or by email.
London Cycling Campaign
London Cycling Campaign has been helping people cycle in London for more than 40 years.
Cycling is a great way to get around London
It’s fast, it’s low-cost, it’s good for your mental and physical health, and it also can be really fun. Here are our top tips – and enjoy the ride!
Find a bike
- Hire a bike: There are TfL’s Santander Cycles docked across central and inner London. You can pay per use or get longer term memberships. TfL has started adding e-bikes to this fleet. There are also dockless shared hire e-bikes available from Lime, Tier and HumanForest. For these you’ll need to sign-up to unlock the bike via apps that also show you where your nearest bike is. Brompton also has lockers across London where you can hire one of their bikes for £5 a day. You can also access longer-term bike hire through companies like Swapfiets and Bike Club (for kids bikes).
- The in between option: If you live, work or study in most (but not all) boroughs in London, you can give Peddle My Wheels a try. You pick a cycle that you want and effectively hire it, but if you decide you want to keep it, the hire fee goes towards the final cost. If you’re not happy with it, you can swap it for another. They offer both new and used bikes, cargo bikes and now have a scheme for accessible cycles for Disabled people.
- Buy a bike:
- From a shop: This bike shop map shows London Cycling Campaign affiliated shops where you can try and purchase bikes. It’s important to get the right size frame, then tweak saddle and handlebar height too. Buy from somewhere you trust, then you’ll be happy taking your bike back for repairs and maintenance later.
- From an individual: Lots of people are choosing to buy second-hand to be more eco-friendly. Here’s what to look out for when buying a preloved bike.
- Cycle to work scheme: See if your employer is a member of a cycle to work scheme where you monthly payments are taken out of your payslip pre tax.
Cycle smart
- Look‚ signal‚ manoeuvre: Before making any move on the road‚ look around and over your shoulder, then make a hand signal to let people know where you are going.
- Eye contact: Look drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists in the eye‚ rather than just at their vehicle. That way, they will see you as a person too.
- Keep away from the kerb: Ride at least one metre away from parked cars (to allow for doors opening), the gutter (which can be full of drainholes and broken glass) or any other edge of the road space.
- Take the lane: The new Highway Code encourages you to ride in the middle of the road where needed. For example, if there’s not enough space for a vehicle to overtake you safely‚ or you’re approaching a side street, ride in the middle of the lane to prevent vehicles passing. Try to communicate with any driver behind you with a quick look to show you know they are there and then let them pass when it is safe to do so.
- Be extra careful near lorries: Most of the worst cycling collisions involve HGVs. Check out our advice page on how to stay safe around lorries and be extra careful with lorries turning left:
- Lorry drivers often can’t easily see to the left of or immediately in front of their cabs.
- They do not always indicate.
- They often swing right before turning left.
- The gap between the kerb and the lorry will decrease or disappear as it turns.
Check your bike is safe
Always check the bike you are on is roadworthy, especially it hasn’t been used for a while. Check our separate advice page on how to check your bike is safe to ride.
Sort your kit
You don’t need a lot of kit to cycle. It’s possible to spend lots of money but most stuff is definitely not essential and if you are just starting out then probably hire or borrow as much as you can to find what works for you. To get started:
- Bike lights: At night it’s a legal requirement to have two bike lights (white on the front and red on the back).
- Clothing: Your everyday clothes will be fine for almost all London journeys! There are no laws about what you have to wear to cycle in the UK. A waterproof coat and gloves will be useful in the winter, and some people choose to wear high-vis (more tips on winter cycling here). If you wear a helmet, check it fits properly.
- Bike locks: Make sure your frame and both wheels are secured, and it’s also worth getting your bike security marked and registered – find lots more information on our bike security page.
Plan a good route
There’s an increasingly large network of safe and pleasant cycling routes in London using cycleways, bike lanes (many built thanks to LCC campaigning) and quiet back routes that keep you away from busy motor traffic. Check out our separate advice page on planning safe cycle routes.
Get confident
There’s loads of things to help get you started – check our our separate advice page on building your cycle skills. If you haven’t cycled for a while or are just starting out then start with short journeys on quiet roads to grow your confidence. The free cycle training sessions available from London councils are a great idea for all riders, not just people new to cycling. And try Cycle Buddies to find an experienced local cycling buddy in your area.
Follow the rules
It’s a legal requirement to stop at red traffic lights and you should be familiar with the Highway Code. Riding your bike on the pavement is not allowed unless you see a ‘shared-use’ sign allowing it. In any shared space with people walking cycle slow and keep an eye out for people, particularly the young, old or disabled. In busy areas people may walk out into the road without looking, so again slow down and take care.
Ask for help
LCC has been helping people to cycle in and around London for more than 40 years, and they are here to help you. Check out more advice articles, get in touch with friendly local groups in every London borough or drop a line.
Manage your account – existing cycle hangar users
- pay your annual renewal fee for your hangar space
- order a replacement key
- cancel your space
How it works
The council now manages secure cycle storage on the highway and across its housing estates in-house, so the way in which residents rent spaces for their bikes has changed.
- to keep the service sustainable, the council needs to charge an annual fee for renting a bike storage space, this cost is £40 per year (less than 80p per week)
- the fee covers the cost of providing the service and maintain the storage
- a 25% discount is offered to Westminster City Council housing tenants for units located on their estate, subject to proof of Council tenancy
- a refundable £25 key deposit will be required for new applications to cover the loss of keys
There is a limited number of exceptions where storage is located in gates housing estates. If you live on a gated estate, please contact your estate manager to access your storage.
Report a damaged cycle hangar
Cycle parking
Find cycle stands and secure units in Westminster.
If you’d like to apply for a space in a cycle hangar, you need to register your interest. If you’re a couple or a group of people, you’ll need to register your interest separately. Registering an interest will also help Westminster Council identify additional locations where storage is needed.
To register your interest, click on the link below and follow the instructions to create a cycle hangar account. Once you have created an account, you can:
- select either ‘on street hangar’ or ‘estate cycle hangar’ (available to residents of council-managed estates)
- select the hangar(s) that you would like to register for or choose to be notified when new hangars are installed
- submit your registration
- add or remove hangars from your list
- see your current waiting list position
Westminster Wheels maintenance scheme
Westminster Council are collaborating with Westminster Wheels (in partnership with Groundwork and Cycle Confident), which helps young Westminster residents who are not in education or employment to gain the skills and experience to become qualified bicycle mechanics.
As part of a rental subscription, our cycle storage customers can get a Bike Check Over service at only £40 (compared to £90 average cost in other bike shops) by a trained Westminster Wheels mechanic at their Church Street shop. Also, benefit from a comprehensive service, now at £80, originally £95. Discounts are also available if the bike is found to require comprehensive servicing.
The Bicycle Check Over service includes brakes and gears adjustment, nuts and bolts checked and tightened, and ensuring the road worthiness and safety of the bike.
City cycle courses
Find out about free cycling training for anyone who lives, works or studies in Westminster.
Westminster Council are committed to making cycling safe, enjoyable and practical.
They offer free city cycling courses to anyone who lives, works or studies in Westminster. Sessions are available for individuals or groups and are tailored to your riding experience and needs.
The cycle courses are run by:
an approved provider of:
Adult courses
First-time bike riders or regular cyclists looking to improve their skills are welcome.
You’ll receive up to two hours of one-to-one training with a qualified and insured instructor, who will tailor the session to your abilities and goals.
You can book your session for a time and place that suits you and your assigned instructor.
Group courses
Group training sessions are designed for people who are new to cycling or who want to learn again from scratch.
Sessions take place on weekends in an off-road area. They are an ideal way to get started in a fun group environment before moving on to a one-to-one session.
Bicycles and helmets are provided.
Bike Maintenance Lessons
Do you want to know how to keep your bike in good order? This £15 session covers basic bike maintenance including:
- wheel removal
- puncture repair
- brake adjustment
- gear alignment
- lubrication of key parts.
A little knowledge goes a long way and this course will pay for itself many times over in a very short time as well as making your riding experience more comfortable.
Online cycle skills course
To ensure as many Londoners as possible are equipped with the basic skills needed to cycle safely in London, Transport for London have made an online Cycle Skills ABC video.
It provides tips to get you and your bicycle prepared for the road.
View an online tutorial for basic skills.
Contact us
If you have any other issues or concerns about city cycling courses in Westminster, please email Westminster Council on:
Santander Cycle Scheme
The Santander Cycle Hire scheme has rapidly become an iconic part of London’s transport mix.
Westminster has 166 hire stations around the borough. It's one of the fastest, cheapest and most convenient ways to get around.
Bike Loan Scheme
Your bike comes fully equipped with a lock and lights, plus optional extras such as child seats or panniers. Theft and damage cover is included, and westminster council deliver it free to your door, ready to ride.
Westminster Try Before You Bike
Try before you bike is a simple, flexible, and affordable way to start cycling ideal for beginners or anyone who needs a little extra support to get started.
Choose from a wide range of bikes, including pedal, folding, electric, and cargo options.
- Flexible and affordable, no deposit, and you can return any time after the first month
- All-inclusive, bike, accessories, and cover included
- Free delivery and collection
- Wide choice, hybrid, folding, e-bikes, and cargo bikes
- Training support, free local cycle training courses by Bikeability-certified instructors. Sessions are available for individuals or groups and are tailored to your riding experience and needs.
- Additional membership support for Westminster residents on any pedal, children and folding bikes in selected areas of the borough. Check the offer and eligibility on the website.
If you decide to keep your bike, you can purchase it at any time, with the price reducing over time. Not for you? You can return your bike any time after the first month and we’ll collect it for free.
Cycle Buddies
Connecting new cyclists with people who already cycle. Meet up, build confidence, start cycling today!
Cycle Buddies is a proven London Cycling Campaign concept wherein volunteer ‘helpers’ offer a free service to help less confident cyclists ‘starters’ by an in person one to one process.
When a ‘helper’ and a ‘starter’ have met up they are ‘cycle buddies’. Typically, this is done by meeting up in their local area and cycling together or helping plan a route to work or a local destination.
Wheels 4 Me
An Inclusive Cycle Loan Scheme for London for disabled residents.
Wheels4Me London is a ground-breaking scheme offering free cycle loans for Londoners whose needs aren't met by most standard bicycle hire schemes.
This scheme is run in collaboration with Wheels for Wellbeing, Peddle my wheels, and Sustrans and funded by the Motability Foundation.
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Loans from a small fleet of adapted cycles to disabled people living in London, who are over the age of 18.
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Free delivery.
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A cycle training session at the time of delivery.
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Insurance against theft or damage of the cycle.
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Collection when the loan is complete.
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Information about all aspects of inclusive cycling.
Queen's Park Trust support cycling in London, however abandoned bikes can be a real nuisance and even a danger so please do report abandoned bikes to Westminster Council
It is also illegal to ride on pavements or walkways so please do report dangerous cycling or speeding to police
Abandoned e-bikes and e-scooters
Any abandoned e-bikes or e-scooters should be directed to the responsible operator for action.
Dott
- Number: 0800 048 8993
- Email: support@ridedott.com
Forest
- Number: 020 8157 7491
Lime
- Number: 0800 808 5223
- Email: support@li.me
Voi
- Number: 0800 376 8179
- Email: support@voi.com